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2006 Hyundai Elantra

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$14,065

starting MSRP

Key specs

Base trim shown

Sedan

Body style

5

Seating capacity

178.1” x 56.1”

Dimensions

Front-wheel drive

Drivetrain

Overview

(47 reviews)

The good:

  • Fuel economy
  • Easy to drive
  • Performance with manual shift
  • Maneuverability
  • Interior space

The bad:

  • Instrument readability in GT
  • Difficulty getting manual gearbox into Reverse

3 trims

Starting msrp listed lowest to highest price

Wondering which trim is right for you?

Our 2006 Hyundai Elantra trim comparison will help you decide.

See also: Find the best Sedans for 2024

Notable features

  • 2.0-liter four-cylinder
  • Manual or automatic
  • Sport-tuned suspension on GT models
  • New Limited trim level for 2006

2006 Hyundai Elantra review: Our expert's take

Vehicle Overview
Hyundai’s most popular model slots between the subcompact Accent and the midsize Sonata in both size and price. Revisions to the sheet metal and interior marked the 2004 models. A new instrument cluster was installed, and the 2.0-liter four-cylinder gained continuously variable valve timing.

Four-door sedans are available in GLS and Limited trim levels, while the hatchback comes in GLS and GT versions. New for 2006, the Limited sedan includes beige leather seating surfaces and woodgrain interior decoration. An automatic transmission is standard on the Limited, which also includes fog lamps, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and chrome-insert bodyside moldings. A new Premium Package that’s available for all models includes a power moonroof, antilock brakes and traction control.

Exterior
Strong character lines highlight the Elantra, which features styling that’s more chiseled and European than earlier models. The Elantra rides a 102.7-inch wheelbase, measures 178 inches long overall, stands 56.1 inches tall and stretches nearly 68 inches wide. GT models have a body-colored rear lip spoiler. A moonroof is optional. The Limited features a chrome vertical-bar grille.

Elantra GT models have a tauter suspension with higher-rate springs, gas-filled shock absorbers and larger-diameter stabilizer bars. All-disc brakes, fog lamps and 15-inch alloy wheels are installed.

Interior
Each Elantra seats up to five people. A three-place 60/40-split, folding rear seat augments the sedan’s trunk space, which totals 12.9 cubic feet. Standard equipment includes air conditioning, a CD player, cruise control, a tilt steering column, a rear defogger, and power windows, locks and mirrors. Remote keyless entry includes an alarm.

A unique instrument panel in GT models holds purple-lit VDO gauges. The GT features gray leather seating surfaces and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

Under the Hood
A 2.0-liter four-cylinder powers each Elantra. In states with Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle requirements, the engine develops an estimated 132 horsepower, but it’s rated at 138 hp in other areas. A five-speed-manual gearbox is standard, and a four-speed-automatic transmission is optional.

Safety
Seat-mounted side-impact airbags are standard, and antilock brakes are available.

Driving Impressions
Even though the Elantra isn’t overly enticing initially, it tends to grow on an open-minded driver and turns into an appealing little automobile. Performance with the manual transmission is surprisingly frisky, and the Elantra accelerates with spirit. Well matched to the engine, the gearbox and clutch permit gentle engagement for easy takeoffs. But putting it into Reverse can be a chore at times.

Except for a slight growl during acceleration, the Elantra is quiet on the road. It whips through corners with ease; some body lean is evident, but not enough to be troubling. Its suspension copes adeptly with rough spots, so the Elantra’s ride is pleasantly smooth for a small car.

Attractive seats are firmly cushioned and offer very good back support. Backseat legroom is amazing, and even the center rear position isn’t too bad.

Handling is a bit tauter on the fun-to-drive GT, and ride comfort suffers only modestly. The GT’s gauges are large, but their distinctive purple hue isn’t the easiest to read at night.

Consumer reviews

(47 reviews)
Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 4.3
  • Interior 4.0
  • Performance 4.0
  • Value 4.7
  • Exterior 3.9
  • Reliability 4.5
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Most recent consumer reviews

Best car ever

Finally having to give up this car. 5 spd manual. 430000 kms and 17 years. It has been a tank. Best car I have ever owned. Still has a lot of original equipment on it. All original CV joints and boots, shocks and struts, alternator and starter, air conditioning system, transmission, even exhaust system except for frequent flex pipe changes, etc

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 5.0
  • Interior 5.0
  • Performance 5.0
  • Value 5.0
  • Exterior 5.0
  • Reliability 5.0
  • Purchased a New car
  • Used for Commuting
  • Does recommend this car
4 people out of 4 found this review helpful. Did you?
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Transmission and Electrical issues

This was my first car and it never really broke down on me yet, but there are some things to consider about it’s performance. I often times have to turn off the ac or heater when going up hill and a lot of the times, the automatic transmission will fail to go to a lower gear going up and down hill. My Elantra also started to have electrical problem, with lights on the dashboard not working and the automatic window system not working; this happened around 120k miles.On the positive end, it gets good gas mileage and held up for a long time, besides some of its issues.

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 4.0
  • Interior 4.0
  • Performance 2.0
  • Value 4.0
  • Exterior 3.0
  • Reliability 3.0
  • Purchased a Used car
  • Used for Commuting
  • Does not recommend this car
1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
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Great economical car

I wanted a reliable economical used car. The price was right. The reviews were good. The car was in good condition. It had low miles.

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 5.0
  • Interior 4.0
  • Performance 4.0
  • Value 5.0
  • Exterior 4.0
  • Reliability 5.0
  • Purchased a Used car
  • Used for Commuting
  • Does recommend this car
14 people out of 15 found this review helpful. Did you?
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See all 47 consumer reviews

Safety

Based on the 2006 Hyundai Elantra base trim.
Frontal driver
5
Frontal passenger
4
Nhtsa rollover rating
4
Side driver
5
Side rear passenger
4

Warranty

New car and Certified Pre-Owned programs by Hyundai
New car program benefits
Bumper-to-bumper
60 months/60,000 miles
Corrosion
84 months/unlimited distance
Powertrain
120 months/100,000 miles
Roadside assistance
60 months/unlimited distance
Certified Pre-Owned program benefits
Maximum age/mileage
Less than 80,000 miles; less than 7 years old (currently MY18- MY24)
Basic warranty terms
Remainder of the 5-Year/60,000-Mile New Vehicle Limited Warranty. From original in-service date and zero (0) miles.
Powertrain
10-Yr/100K-Mile Powertrain Limited Warranty. From original in-service date and zero (0) miles.
Dealer certification required
173-point inspection
Roadside assistance
Yes
View all cpo program details

Have questions about warranties or CPO programs?

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